Article by Mihai Șovei – Published on Sunday, 08 February 2026, 16:04 / Updated on Sunday, 08 February 2026 16:04
Răzvan Lucescu (56 years old), the coach of the Greeks from PAOK Thessalonikiwill not sit on the team's bench for the first leg of the qualification play-off in the round of 16 of the Europa League, against the Spaniards from Celta VigoIonuț Radu's team.
During the last game in the single group stage, 2-4 on the field of Lyon, the Romanian technician was eliminated after having a nervous breakdown on the side of the field, and UEFA sanctioned him.
Răzvan Lucescu, sanctioned by UEFA
Following the incident in the aforementioned match, the UEFA Disciplinary Commission sanctioned Răzvan Lucescu, so the technician will not sit on the bench for the next match in the competition, against Celta Vigo.
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In the final minutes of the duel in Lyon, Spanish referee De Burgos Bengoetxea awarded the French a penalty kick, with the score 2-2, which was missed. The Iberian's decision annoyed Răzvan Lucescu, so the Romanian threw a bottle of water at the edge of the field and reproached the “central” for several things. The French scored twice more, and the final score of the duel was 4-2.
PAOK Thessaloniki and Celta Vigo will meet in a double leg of the Europa League play-off, and the winner of this duel will qualify for the round of 16 of the competition. Răzvan will miss the first leg of this duel, the game being scheduled for Thursday, February 19, at 19:45, in Thessaloniki.
Răzvan Lucescu // photo: Imago Images
The return is scheduled a week later on Thursday, February 26 at 10:00 PM in Spain.
It should be mentioned that the teams of Răzvan Lucescu and Ionuț Radu also met in the single group stage. In the duel in round number 2, the Iberians won at home with a score of 3-1.
The winner of this duel will play in the round of 16 of the competition against Lyon or Aston Villa.
